June 12, 2008

I learned a new word this week -- Fore! It's what golfers yell when they want to warn others that a ball has been hit in their direction. For humans it means "Watch out or you'll get hit on the head!" For dogs it means "Here comes a ball to chase!"

I bet you're wondering why I needed to know this word, aren't you?

As it happens, I spent Monday at The Club at Pradera at the 11th Annual Glen and Lynn Ann Balenseifen Memorial Golf Tournament. The tournament is hosted each year by the Colorado and Wyoming Petroleum Marketers Association, which Marianne says is a group of independent businessmen and women whose companies market petroleum products.

All I know is, it's a big group of really friendly people who love dogs, and are especially fond of CCI dogs. They about loved the fur off all the CCI dogs who were at the tournament, and said really nice things about us.

The tournament is held in honor of Glen and Lynn Ann Balenseifen, who owned Rex Oil Company and were very involved in the CWPMA. Their son, Eric is still very active with the Association and serves on the committee that organizes the event. Over the past ten years this tournament has raised over $250,000 for CCI! WOW.

Monday was a beautiful day and all the golfers seemed to be having a great deal of fun. I really loved riding around in the golf cart, even if Marianne wouldn't let me drive. I think we should get a golf cart to drive around town, instead of a boring old car.

But I digress.

Next Monday I'm going to ANOTHER charity golf tournament! That one is called "Mulligans for Mutts" and benefits one of my Pet Pals partners, Table Mountain Animal Center (TMAC). It's being held at the Lakewood Country Club. The event starts at 12:30 and concludes with dinner and awards, hosted by our very own beloved sports anchor Lionel Bienvenu {insert cheering sounds here}!

But what is TMAC raising money for, you ask? Marianne says the proceeds from this year's tournament will be used toward a very exciting purpose.

TMAC's current home is way too old and way too small, so TMAC is going to build a NEW 33,000 square foot facility that will offer adoption and animal control services, larger animal housing facilities, medical services and community resource areas for education and training. How cool is that?! A new building with lots more space and better facilities for my Pet Pals.

But why is this important? Because TMAC is the third largest animal shelter in Colorado. It is an "open shelter," which means it will take in any domestic animal (no elephants), and doesn't have time deadlines for animal occupants (space permitting). All the animals are evaluated in terms of health and behavior and all possible efforts are made to work with the animals to help them get adopted.

So what are you waiting for? Sign up RIGHT NOW for Mulligans for Mutts by calling 303-278-7575 x 102. And remember to yell "FORE!" when you hit the ball.

Chow for now!

Parker

Questions or comments for Parker? Send them to Call7ForHelp@TheDenverChannel.com.

Would you like more information about Canine Companions for Independence, or puppy raising? Call 1-800-572-BARK or go to CCI for details.